Young Kerry Gaeltacht Entrepreneurs look to be crowned the Kings of Europe
Is go fíorúil a dhéanfaidh triúr fiontraithe óga as Corca Dhuibhne triail ar an Eoraip an tseachtain seo chugainn agus súil acu go mbeidh siad ina ríthe ar an Eoraip lena gcluiche boird teanga.
‘Rí na bhFocal’, comhlacht nua a bhunaigh Liam Ó hÓgáin, Finn Daibhéis agus Patrick Saunders as Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Daingean Uí Chúis, Co. Chiarraí a dhéanfaidh ionadaíocht ar son na hÉireann ag Comórtas Chomhlacht na Bliana Junior Achievement na hEorpa 2020 an tseachtain seo chugainn ón 22- 24 Iúil. Bhí an comórtas le bheith ar siúl sa bPortaingéil i mbliana ach de bharr paindéim COVID-19 is ar líne a reáchtálfar an comórtas anois ón 22 – 24 Iúil. Seo an dara huair ag buaiteoirí Chlár na gComhlachtaí Údarás na Gaeltachta páirt a ghlacadh i gCraobh na hEorpa den Chomórtas.
Is Cluiche Cláir Ghaeilge idirghníomhach an féidir le hidir 2 - 6 imreoir agus gasúir agus daoine fásta aois ar bith Rí na bhFocal a imirt. Bhí iomaíocht ghéar idir fhiontraithe óga Chorca Dhuibhne agus an 750 dalta idirbhliana as ceantair Ghaeltachta i gCorcaigh, Gaillimh, Dún na nGall, Ciarraí, Maigh Eo, An Mhí agus Port Láirge chun Craobh Náisiúnta Chlár na gComhlachtaí Údarás na Gaeltachta a bhuachan i mí Bealtaine. Is ar líne a tionóladh an Chraobh Náisiúnta de bharr srianta COVID-19 agus thug sé sin taithí do Rí na bhFocal cleachtadh a fháil a bheith san iomaíocht ar ardán fíorúil agus de bharr an smaoineamh gnó nuálach agus an léiriú den scoth a rinneadar thug siad an lá leo. Ba í Trish Uí h-Éanacháin, múinteoir gnó sa scoil, a thug cúnamh d’fhoireann Phobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne a smaoineamh gnó a fhorbairt chomh maith le tacaíocht ó fheidhmeannaigh Údarás na Gaeltachta agus Junior Achievement Ireland.
"Working in collaboration and with the support of Údarás na Gaeltachta more than 750 senior cycle Gaeltacht students take part in meaningful real-to-life entrepreneurial experiences across the Gaeltacht areas through Clár na gComhlachtaí annually."
Helen Raftery, CEO of Junior Achievement Ireland
Over the 3 day European final Liam, Finn and Patrick will compete for the Company of the Year Award by presenting their product, company, progress and plans to the judges and to other competing junior entrepreneurs from the 27 EU member states.
Rí na bhFocal are also eligible for the Public Choice Award, which will be decided through an online vote. The winner of the Award is up to the public and voting will open from noon on 17 July until 11am on 24 July. You can vote for Liam, Finn and Patrick at www.jacompanyoftheyear.org
Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh, Chief Executive Officer with Údarás na Gaeltachta, commented: “We are proud to be sending a team of the calibre of Rí na bhFocal to Europe not only to represent Ireland but also to represent our unique Gaeltacht areas. Despite the uncertainty of the current situation it is inspiring to witness such enterprising young people participate at the Údarás na Gaeltachta Clár na gComhlachtaí 2020 competition against all odds. Their knowledge and enthusiasm for their business ideas indicates that enterprise in Gaeltacht areas is in safe hands. Despite the changes to this year’s European competition I’m sure Liam, Finn and Patrick of Rí na bhFocal from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne will do very well and we wish them the best of luck”.
Helen Raftery, CEO of Junior Achievement Ireland added: “The COVID-19 pandemic if nothing else has shown us the indomitable spirit of our second level students and their strength and flexibility in overcoming any obstacles to earn their rightful place on the international stage. That is the story of Rí na bhFocal from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne in Kerry this year and we wish Liam, Finn and Patrick luck in JA Europe Company of the Year Competition 2020. Working in collaboration and with the support of Údarás na Gaeltachta more than 750 senior cycle Gaeltacht students take part in meaningful real-to-life entrepreneurial experiences across the Gaeltacht areas through Clár na gComhlachtaí annually. This is not possible without the vital assistance of teachers, principals, parents and business mentors for their dedication in supporting and developing the entrepreneurial talent of these students. The wide-ranging skills these young entrepreneurs have developed and practised throughout Clár na gComhlachtaí will be invaluable as they progress into the world of work”.